Controlled release of additive gel(s) for functional fluids

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a method of lubricating containing: (a) employing a first functional fluid, (b) adding or contacting the first functional fluid with a controlled release gel wherein the controlled release gel has the desired additives to be released imparting the desired properties into the first functional fluid which is for lubricating a mechanical device; and/or adding a delivery system with the desired additives for a second functional fluid; (c) releasing the desired additives from the delivery system into the first functional fluid resulting in the first functional fluid changing into a second functional fluid, with the proviso that the second functional fluid is different from the first functional fluid.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a delivery system for providing one ormore functional fluids with desired additives. The invention furtherrelates to the systems use in lubricant technology.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Modern mechanical equipment such as a transmission, hydraulic, engine orgear all require a functional fluid to possess a number of differentproperties. These properties allow the equipment to operate in a rangeof equipment environments, including various regimes of soot/sludgeformation, friction, corrosion, thermal decomposition, oxidation,extreme pressure and wear. In many instances these different propertiesare unique to a component of the mechanical device. The uniqueproperties may depend on chemical interactions between additives (forexample, synergistic effects or antagonists competing for same reactivesites), component design, as well as the materials used. Consequently, anumber of functional fluids are required to lubricate various componentswithin the mechanical equipment. Having a number of functional fluidsmay result in difficulties such as in handling or storage and confusionof application for the operator. Confusion of application may result inimproper use resulting in equipment down time.

Furthermore, functional fluids degrade over time through use. Theadditives in the functional fluids deplete or change over the lifetimeof the fluid in an engine or other mechanical device. Replenishment ofadditives in a functional fluid by a slow release additive package inthe form of a gel is disclosed in US Patent Application 2004/0014614.Other time release additives include coatings or polymers as disclosedin U.S. Patent Application 2004/0154304A1; and U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,075,098;and 4,066,559.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a delivery system for additivesand a method of lubricating a mechanical device with the deliverysystem. The delivery system and method of lubricating allows forimproved storage or handling of functional fluids as well as reducedconfusion of application. The present invention provides a deliverysystem and a method of lubricating capable of improving at least one ofreplenishing additives in a lubricating oil, storage and handling offunctional fluids.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a method for lubricating a comprising:

(a) employing a first functional fluid, wherein the first functionalfluid is selected from the group consisting of an oil of lubricatingviscosity, a gear oil including automotive and/or industrial, a manualtransmission oil, an automatic transmission oil, a hydraulic fluid, anengine oil, a two cycle oil, a metalworking fluid and an axle fluid;

(b) contacting the first functional fluid with a delivery system whereinthe delivery system has the desired additives to be released impartingthe desired properties into the first functional fluid which is forlubricating a mechanical device;

(c) releasing the desired additives from the delivery system into thefirst functional fluid resulting in the first functional fluid changinginto a second functional fluid selected from the group consisting of agear oil, a manual transmission oil, an automatic transmission oil, ahydraulic fluid, an engine oil, a two cycle oil, a metalworking fluidand an axle fluid, with the proviso that the second functional fluid isdifferent from the first functional fluid.

In another embodiment the invention is a method for lubricating amechanical device comprising:

(a) employing one or more delivery systems, wherein the delivery systemsmay be the same, similar, different or combinations thereof and whereinthe composition of the delivery systems depends on the desired additivesto be added into a first functional fluid or to change the firstfunctional fluid into a second functional fluid;

(b) contacting the first functional fluid with one or more deliverysystems wherein the functional fluid may be of more than one type, andwherein the delivery systems comprises at least one additive comprisingdetergents, dispersants, acids, bases, over based detergent, succinatedpolyolefins, viscosity modifier(s), friction modifier(s), detergent(s),cloud point depressant(s), pour point depressant(s), demulsifier(s),flow improver(s), anti static agent(s), dispersant(s), antioxidant(s),antifoam(s), corrosion/rust inhibitor(s), extreme pressure/antiwearagent(s), seal swell agent(s), lubricity aid(s), antimisting agent(s),or mixtures thereof;

resulting in changing the first functional fluid into the secondfunctional fluid when the delivery systems are contacted with the firstfunctional fluid.

The present invention provides a process for supplying one or moredesired additives to a functional fluid by contacting the functionalfluid with the additized controlled release gel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In one embodiment the invention provides a method for lubricating amechanical device comprising the methods disclosed above.

The delivery system comprises at least one of liquids, solids, acontrolled release additive gel, capsules (for example melamine or ureaformaldehyde microencapsulation polymers), polymer bags (e.g. linear lowdensity polyethylene), perforated sheets, baffles, injectors, polymerswhich are oil-permeable at elevated temperatures (as defined in U.S.Pat. No. 4,066,559), particles which are oil-insoluble but oil wettable(as defined in U.S. Pat. No. 5,478,463), oil-soluble solid polymerscapable of functioning as viscosity improvers (as defined in U.S. Pat.No. 4,014,794), or mixtures thereof. Typically the oil-soluble solidpolymers are delivered from within an oil filter, but any means by whichthe delivery system can be brought into contact with the functionalfluid can be used e.g., container/delivery device within the oil pan, orwithin a fluid by-pass loop.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a controlledrelease additive gel is provided for a fluid conditioning device(s). Thepresent invention provides a process for supplying one or more desiredadditives to a functional fluid by contacting the functional fluid withthe additized controlled release gel.

The present invention of a delivery system can be used in any fluidconditioning device including internal combustion engines which includemobile and stationary applications; hydraulic systems; automatictransmissions; gear boxes which include manual transmissions anddifferentials (e.g. front and rear drive axles and industrial speedincreasers or reducers); metalworking fluids; pumps; suspension systems;other lubricated mechanical systems; and the like. The fluidconditioning devices that can use the additive gel include, internalcombustion engines, stationary engines, generators, diesel and/orgasoline engines, on highway and/or off highway engines, two-cycleengines, aviation engines, piston engines, marine engines, railroadengines, biodegradable fuel engines and the like; lubricated mechanicalsystems such as gear boxes, automatic transmissions, differentials,hydraulic systems and the like.

In one preferred embodiment, the first functional fluid is not a gearoil because difficulties may be encountered transforming the gear oilinto a second functional fluid. The reason for this is believed to bethe presence of excessive amounts of antiwear/EP agent additives basedon sulphurised olefins. In some instances where the amount ofsulphurised olefin is reduced it may be possible to change a firstfunctional fluid derived from a gear oil into a different secondfunctional fluid.

The functional fluid becomes diminished and depleted of its additivesover time. The additive delivery system is specifically formulated tomeet the desired performance requirements of the functional fluid systemand to condition the fluid. The present invention provides for the useof an additive delivery system to increase the performance of thefunctional fluid by replenishing the depleted desired additives orintroducing new desired additives to the functional fluid. Thus thefunctional fluid can add and/or maintain consistent performance over thefunctional fluid's life because the device should perform closer tooptimum for a longer period of time.

The functional fluids useful to be readditized through the additizeddelivery system include gear oil, transmission oil, hydraulic fluid,engine oil, two cycle oil, metalworking fluid and the like. In oneembodiment the preferred functional fluid is an engine oil. In anotherembodiment the preferred functional fluid is a gear oil. In anotherembodiment the preferred functional fluid is a transmission fluid. Inanother embodiment the preferred functional fluid is a hydraulic fluid.

In one embodiment the additive delivery system dissolves into thefunctional fluid by contacting the additive delivery system with thefunctional fluid in the system. The additive delivery system ispositioned anywhere the additive delivery system will be in contact withthe functional fluid. In one embodiment, the additive delivery system ispositioned anywhere that the circulating functional fluid contacts theadditive delivery system. In one embodiment the functional fluid is anengine oil and the additive delivery system is positioned in the engineoil system which includes the lubricating system, filter, drain pan, oilbypass loop, canister, housing, reservoir, pockets of a filter, canisterin a filter, mesh in a filter, canister in a bypass system, mesh in abypass system, oil lines and the like. In one embodiment the functionalfluid is a gear oil and the additive delivery system is located in thegear system which includes oil drain pan, sump, filters, a full flow orbypass oil line, lines, loop and/or filter, canisters, mesh, otherspaces within the device in which a delivery system might be containedand the like. In one embodiment the functional fluid is transmissionfluid and the additive delivery system is located in the transmissionsystem which includes the space such as a hole within a transmissionmagnet, the oil pan, oil lines, lines, canisters, mesh and the like. Inone embodiment the additive delivery system is located in the engine oilline, which includes a full flow filter, a by-pass filter, the oil pan,and the like. In one embodiment, the functional fluid is a hydraulicfluid and the additive delivery system is located in the hydrauliccylinder, sump, filter, oil lines, pan, full flow or by pass oil loop,line and/or filter, canister, mesh, other spaces in the system and thelike.

One or more locations in a line, loop and/or the functional fluid systemcan contain the additive delivery system. Further, if more than oneadditive delivery system for the functional fluid is used the additivedelivery system can be identical, similar and/or a different additivedelivery system composition.

In one embodiment the method for lubricating a mechanical devicecomprises employing one or more additive delivery systems in acontainer.

In one embodiment the properties imparted by the desired additivesinclude dispersancy, antioxidancy, corrosion inhibition, wearprevention, scuffing prevention, pitting prevention including micro andmacro pitting, friction modifying properties including increased and/ordecreased friction coefficients, detergency, viscosity control usingviscosity modifiers, foam control or mixtures thereof.

In one embodiment the mechanical device comprises axles, gear boxes,automatic transmissions, manual transmissions, differentials or mixturesthereof.

In one embodiment of the invention the first functional fluid is changedinto the second functional fluid different from the first functionalfluid. Changing the first functional fluid into the second functionalfluid may be attained by releasing the desired additives from a deliverysystem in an amount sufficient to provide a different ratio ofadditives.

The first functional fluid may be changed into the second functionalfluid by adding and/or modifying the ratio of additives in the firstfunctional fluid. Modifying the ratio of additives by the addition thedesired additives is obtained by adding or contacting the firstfunctional fluid with a delivery system composition of the desiredadditives. The desired additives controlled released into the firstfunctional fluid resulting in the first functional fluid changing intothe second functional fluid. The change from the first functional fluidto the second functional fluid occurs when the desired additives arereleased from the delivery system and providing the desired propertiesto the second functional fluid.

In one embodiment the first functional fluid is a manual transmissionfluid additized with a sufficient amount of an antiwear agent/extremepressure agent and other additives including dispersants and/ordetergent to form the second functional fluid, an axle fluid.

In one embodiment the functional fluid system comprises additivedelivery systems suitable for forming a functional fluid for an axle.The compositions of the additive delivery systems suitable forming afunctional fluid for an axle and/or gear oil in one embodiment containsreduced amounts of a sulfurized olefin antiwear agent in the presence ofa sulfonate detergent. In another embodiment the functional fluid for anaxle and/or gear oil contains reduced amounts of sulfonate detergent inthe presence of a sulfurized olefin antiwear agent. In anotherembodiment the sulfonate detergent in the delivery system issubstantially retained, thus reducing the amount of detergent in afunctional fluid for an axle and/or gear oil. In one embodiment, it isdesirable that the sulfonate detergent in the delivery system does notrelease in a gear oil applications.

In one embodiment the line, loop and/or the functional fluid systemcontains two or more different additive delivery systems located at twoor more locations. The different compositions of the additive deliverysystems provide the first functional fluid with desired additives to becontrol released to change to a second functional fluid that lubricatesthe mechanical device.

In one embodiment, the mechanical device contains two or more firstfunctional fluids which are contacted with one or more, for example twoor three additive delivery systems. After contacting the additivesdelivery systems, the first functional fluids are changed into secondfunctional fluids (which can be the same or different depending on thedelivery systems) with two or more compositions that are employed toprovide appropriate lubricating properties to various components withinthe mechanical device.

In one embodiment the mechanical device comprises one first functionalfluid contacting multiple delivery systems resulting in changing thefirst functional fluid into multiple second functional fluids.

In one embodiment the mechanical device comprises multiple firstfunctional fluids contacting multiple delivery systems resulting inchanging the first functional fluids into multiple second functionalfluids.

In one embodiment it is desirable to provide a container to hold theadditive delivery system, such as a housing, a canister or a structuralmesh anywhere in the functional fluid system, for example, a canisterwithin a bypass loop of a stationary gas engine for power generation.The necessary design feature for the container is that at least aportion of the additive delivery system is in contact with thefunctional fluid.

In one embodiment the delivery system is a controlled release gel. Thegel comprises;

-   -   i.) at least two additives selected from the group comprising        detergents, dispersants, acids, bases, over based detergent,        succinated polyolefins or mixtures thereof wherein the selected        additives when combined form a gel;    -   ii.) optionally at least one additive comprising viscosity        modifier(s), friction modifier(s), detergent(s), cloud point        depressant(s), pour point depressant(s), demulsifier(s), flow        improver(s), anti static agent(s), dispersant(s),        antioxidant(s), antifoam(s), corrosion/rust inhibitor(s),        extreme pressure/antiwear agent(s), seal swell agent(s),        lubricity aid(s), antimisting agent(s), or mixtures thereof.

The additive gel needs to be in contact with the functional fluid. Inone embodiment the additive gel is in contact with the functional fluidin the range of about 100% to about 1% of the functional fluid in thesystem, in another embodiment the additive gel is in contact with thefunctional fluid in the range of about 75% to about 25% of thefunctional fluid in the system and in another embodiment the additivegel is in contact with the functional fluid in the range of about 50% ofthe functional fluid in the system. As the flow rate decreases there isless dissolution of the additive gel and as the flow rate increasesthere is greater dissolution of the additive gel.

In one embodiment, the additive gel is positioned in the functionalfluid system so that the additive gel and/or spent additive gel caneasily be removed, and then replaced with a new and/or recycled additivegel.

The additive gel is added to the system by any known method depending onthe total amount of gel that is desired to be released over time, thedesired form of the additive gel (e.g. stiffness, consistency,homogeneity and the like), the desired overall dissolution of the gel,the desired release rates of a specific component, the desired mode ofoperation and/or any combinations of the above.

The release rate of the additive gel is determined primarily by theadditive gel formulation. The release rate is also dependent on the modeof addition of the additive gel, the location of additive gel, flow rateof the functional fluid, the form of the additive gel (e.g., stiffness,consistency, homogeneity and the like) and the like. The additive gel ispositioned in a location desirable for the specified and desirabledissolution rate of the additive gel components.

The additive gel's formulation may be composed of one or more componentsthat selectively dissolve or a portion of one or more components remaintill the end of its service life or combinations thereof. In general,the components in category ii will typically dissolve faster than thecomponents in i) as defined above. This allows a desired component(s)ii) as defined above to be selectively released into the functionalfluid while other components remain undissolved or less dissolved. Thusdepending on the fluid conditioning device and its functional fluid, thegel would contain the desired component(s) in category ii to dissolveinto the functional fluid to replace or introduce the desired additive.

In one embodiment, it has been found that the gel slowly dissolves itscomponent additive parts into the functional fluid when exposed toheated fluid with no or limited flow over the surface of the gel. Therate of dissolution of additive gel under these conditions is controlledto be slow, and because the gel dissolves into its component additives,it effectively achieves slow and selective release of the desiredadditives into the functional fluid. If exposure to the hot fluid iscontinued beyond the point that certain additive(s) are selectivelyreleased, the gel will continue to dissolve over time so that the otheradditives, i.e. b i) components, continue to be released. These releaserates can be optimized, using the parameters described above, so thatthe desired gel component(s) are released over a substantial portion toall of the functional fluid's useful life.

The gel can be used as is, without an inert carrier or a non additivematrix, such as a polymeric membrane or complicated mechanical systemsneeded in earlier systems for achieving controlled release of additivesover time.

The gel is a mixture of two or more additives from category i componentthat when combined form a gel and further contain at least one additivefrom category ii components. The gel exists in a semi-solid state morelike a solid than a liquid, see Parker, Dictionary of Scientific andTechnical Terms, Fifth Edition, McGraw Hill, © 1994. See, also, Larson,“The Structure and rheology of Complex Fluids”, Chapter 5, OxfordUniversity Press, New York, N.Y., © 1999, each which is incorporatedherein by reference. The rheological properties of a gel can be measuredby small amplitude oscillatory shear testing. This technique measuresthe structural character of the gel and produces a term called thestorage modulus which represents storage of elastic energy and the lossmodulus which represents the viscous dissipation of that energy. Theratio of the loss modulus/storage modulus, which is called the losstangent, or “tan delta”, is >1 for materials that are liquid-like and <1for materials that are solid-like. The additive gels have tan deltavalues in one embodiment of about ≦0.75, in another embodiment of about≦0.5 and in another embodiment of about ≦0.3. The gels have tan deltavalues in one embodiment of about ≦1, in one embodiment of about ≦0.75,in one embodiment of about ≦0.5 or in one embodiment of about ≦0.3.

The additive gel contains a combination of gelling additives of i)components in the range of about 0.01% to about 95%, in one embodimentin the range of about 0.1% to 80% and in another embodiment in the rangeof about 1% to about 50% of the total weight of the gel.

The additive gel contains a combination of optional additives of the ii)components in the range of about 0.1% to about 95%, in one embodiment inthe range of about 0.1% to 90%, in another embodiment in the range ofabout 0.1% to about 80%, and in another embodiment in the range of about0.5% to about 50% of the total weight of the additives and/or base oilof the delivery system (i.e. excluding the weight of the mechanicaldevice).

In accordance with the present invention, any delivery system formedfrom the combination of two or more additives comprising detergents,dispersants, acids, bases, over based detergents, succinatedpolyolefins, and the like can be used to make the additive gel. Theadditive gel comprises at least two additives selected from the groupincluding detergents, dispersants, acids, bases, over based detergent,succinated polyolefins or mixtures thereof wherein such selectedadditives when combined form a gel. Further in one embodiment theadditive gel includes combining dispersants, or combining a dispersantand an acid, or combining a dispersant and a base, or a dispersant andan over based detergent, and the like.

In one embodiment, a category of gel which finds particular use arethose in which gellation occurs through the combination of an overbaseddetergent and an ashless succinimide dispersant. In one embodiment, theratio of the detergent to the dispersant is from about 10:1 to about1:10, in another embodiment from about 5:1 to about 1:5, form about 4:1to about 1:1 and in another embodiment from about 4:1 to about 2:1. Inaddition, the TBN of the overbased detergent which participates in thegel-forming matrix, is normally at least 200, more typically at300-1,000 and most typically 350 to 650. Where mixtures of overbaseddetergents are used, at least one should have a TBN value within theseranges. However, the average TBN of these mixtures may also correspondto these values.

The dispersant includes dispersants; ashless type dispersants such asMannich dispersants; polymeric dispersants; carboxylic dispersants;amine dispersants, high molecular weight (Cn wherein n≦12) esters andthe like; esterfied maleic anhydride styrene copolymers; maleatedethylene diene monomer copolymers; surfactants; emulsifiers'functionalized derivatives of each component listed herein and the like;and combinations and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment the preferreddispersant ispolyisobutenyl succinimide dispersant.

The dispersants includes ashless-type dispersants, polymericdispersants, Mannich dispersants, high molecular weight (Cn whereinn≧12) esters, carboxylic dispersants, amine dispersants and combinationsthereof. The dispersant may be used alone or in combination.

The dispersant includes but is not limited to an ashless dispersant suchas a polyisobutenyl succinimide and the like. Polyisobutenyl succinimideashless dispersants are commercially-available products which aretypically made by reacting together polyisobutylene having a numberaverage molecular weight (“Mn”) of about 300 to 10,000 with maleicanhydride to form polyisobutenyl succinic anhydride (“PIBSA”) and thenreacting the product so obtained with a polyamine typically containing 1to 10 ethylene amino groups per molecule.

Ashless type dispersants are characterized by a polar group attached toa relatively high molecular weight hydrocarbon chain. Typical ashlessdispersants include N-substituted long chain alkenyl succinimides,having a variety of chemical structures including typically:

and/or

wherein each R¹ is independently an alkyl group, frequently apolysiobutyl group with a molecular weight of 500-5000, and R² arealkenylene groups, commonly ethylene (C₂H₄) groups. Succinimidedispersants are more fully described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,234,435 which isincorporated herein by reference. The dispersants described in thispatent are particularly effective for producing delivery systems inaccordance with the present invention.

The Mannich dispersant are the reaction products of alkyl phenols inwhich the alkyl group contains at least about 30 carbon atoms withaldehydes (especially formaldehyde) and amines (especially polyalkylenepolyanines). Mannich bases having the following general structure(including a variety of different isomers and

the like) are especially interesting.and/or

Another class of dispersants is carboxylic dispersants. Examples ofthese “carboxylic dispersants” are described in Patent U.S. Pat. No.3,219,666.

Amine dispersants are reaction products of relatively high molecularweight aliphatic halides and amines, preferably polyalkylene polyamines.Examples thereof are described, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,565,804.

Polymeric dispersants are interpolymers of oil-solubilizing monomerssuch as decyl methacrylate, vinyl decyl ether and high molecular weightolefins with monomers containing polar substituents, e.g., amino alkylacrylates or acrylamides and poly-(oxyethylene)-substituted acrylates.Examples of polymer dispersants thereof are disclosed in the followingU.S. Pat. Nos. 3,329,658, and 3,702,300.

Dispersants can also be post-treated by reaction with any of a varietyof agents. Among these are urea, thiourea, dimercaptothiazoles, carbondisulfide, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, hydrocarbon-substitutedsuccinic anhydrides, nitriles, epoxides, boron compounds, and phosphoruscompounds.

Dispersants can be used alone or in combination. The dispersant ispresent in the range from about 0 wt % or 0.01 wt % to about 95 wt %gel, in another embodiment in the range from about 1 wt % to about 70 wt% gel, and preferably in another embodiment in the range from about 5 wt% to about 50 wt % total weight of the additives and/or base oil of thedelivery system.

The detergents include overbased sulfonates, phenates, salicylates,carboxylates, overbased calcium sulfonate detergents which arecommercially-available, overbased detergents containing metals such asMg, Ba, Sr, Na, Ca and K and mixtures thereof and the like.

Detergents are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,484,542 whichis incorporated herein by reference. The detergents may be used alone orin combination. Detergents are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No.5,484,542 which is incorporated herein by reference.

The detergents may be used alone or in combination. The detergents arepresent in the range from about 0 wt % or 0.01 wt % to about 99 wt %, inone embodiment in the range from about 1 wt % to about 70 wt % and inanother embodiment in the range from about 5 wt % to about 50 wt % totalweight of the additives and/or base oil of the delivery system.

Typically the additive gel further contains at least one desiredadditive for controlled release into the functional fluid. The additivegel desired components include viscosity modifier(s), frictionmodifier(s), detergent(s), cloud point depressant(s), pour pointdepressant(s), demulsifier(s), flow improver(s), anti static agent(s),dispersant(s), antioxidant(s), antifoam(s), corrosion/rust inhibitor(s),extreme pressure/antiwear agent(s), seal swell agent(s), lubricityaid(s), antimisting agent(s), and mixtures thereof; resulting in acontrolled release gel that over time releases the desired additive(s)into a functional fluid when the gel is contacted with the functionalfluid. The desired additive component is further determined by thefunctional fluid formulation, performance characteristics, function andthe like and what additive is desired to be added for depleted additivesand/or added new depending on the desired functions.

Antioxidants include alkyl-substituted phenols such as 2,6-di-tertiarybutyl-4-methyl phenol, phenate sulfides, phosphosulfurized terpenes,sulfurized esters, aromatic amines, diphenyl amines, alkylated diphenylamines and hindered phenols, bis-nonylated diphenylamine, nonyldiphenylamine, octyl diphenylamine, bis-octylated diphenylamine,bis-decylated diphenylamine, decyl diphenylamine and mixtures thereof.

The antioxidant function includes sterically hindered phenols andincludes but is not limited to 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol,4-methyl-2,6-di-tert-butylphenol, 4-ethyl-2,6-di-tert-butylphenol,4-propyl-2,6-di-tert-butylphenol, 4-butyl-2,6-di-tert-butylphenol2,6-di-tert-butylphenol, 4-pentyl-2-6-di-tert-butylphenol,4-hexyl-2,6-di-tert-butylphenol, 4-heptyl-2,6-di-tert-butylphenol,4-(2-ethylhexyl)-2,6-di-tert-butylphenol,4-octyl-2,6-di-tert-butylphenol, 4-nonyl-2,6-di-tert-butylphenol,4-decyl-2,6-di-tert-butylphenol, 4-undecyl-2,6-di-tert-butylphenol,4-dodecyl-2,6-di-tert-butylphenol, 4-tridecyl-2,6-di-tert-butylphenol,4-tetradecyl-2,6-di-tert-butylphenol, methylene-bridged stericallyhindered phenols include but are not limited to4,4-methylenebis(6-tert-butyl-o-cresol),4,4-methylenebis(2-tert-amyl-o-cresol),2,2-methylenebis(4-metyl-6-tert-butylphenol),4,4-methylene-bis(2,6-di-tertbutylphenol) and mixtures thereof.

Another example of an antioxidant is a hindered, ester-substitutedphenol, which can be prepared by heating a 2,6-dialkylphenol with anacrylate ester under based conditions, such as aqueous KOH.

Antioxidants may be used alone or in combination. The antioxidants aretypically present in the range of about 0 wt % or 0.01 wt % to about 95wt %, in one embodiment in the range from about 0.01 wt % to 95 wt %,and in another embodiment in the range from about 1 wt % to about 70 wt% and in another embodiment in the range from about 5 wt % to about 60wt % total weight of the additives and/or base oil of the deliverysystem.

The extreme pressure/anti-wear agents include a sulfur or chlorosulphurEP agent, a chlorinated hydrocarbon EP agent, or a phosphorus EP agent,or mixtures thereof. Examples of such EP agents are amine salts ofphosphorus acid acid, chlorinated wax, organic sulfides andpolysulfides, such as benzyldisulfide, bis-(chlorobenzyl) disulfide,dibutyl tetrasulfide, sulfurized sperm oil, sulfurized methyl ester ofoleic acid sulfurized alkylphenol, sulfurized dipentene, sulfurizedterpene, and sulfurized Diels-Alder adducts; phosphosulfurizedhydrocarbons, such as the reaction product of phosphorus sulfide withturpentine or methyl oleate, phosphorus esters such as the dihydrocarbonand trihydrocarbon phosphate, i.e., dibutyl phosphate, diheptylphosphate, dicyclohexyl phosphate, pentylphenyl phosphate;dipentylphenyl phosphate, tridecyl phosphate, distearyl phosphate andpolypropylene substituted phenol phosphate, metal thiocarbamates, suchas zinc dioctyldithiocarbamate and barium heptylphenol diacid, such aszinc dicyclohexyl phosphorodithioate and the zinc salts of aphosphorodithioic acid combination may be used and mixtures thereof.

In one embodiment the antiwear agent/extreme pressure agent comprises anamine salt of a phosphorus ester acid. The amine salt of a phosphorusester acid includes phosphoric acid esters and salts thereof;dialkyldithiophosphoric acid esters and salts thereof; phosphites; andphosphorus-containing carboxylic esters, ethers, and amides; andmixtures thereof.

In one embodiment the phosphorus compound further comprises a sulfuratom in the molecule. In one embodiment the amine salt of the phosphoruscompound is ashless, i.e., metal-free (prior to being mixed with othercomponents).

The amines which may be suitable for use as the amine salt includeprimary amines, secondary amines, tertiary amines, and mixtures thereof.The amines include those with at least one hydrocarbyl group, or, incertain embodiments, two or three hydrocarbyl groups. The hydrocarbylgroups may contain about 2 to about 30 carbon atoms, or in otherembodiments about 8 to about 26 or about 10 to about 20 or about 13 toabout 19 carbon atoms.

Primary amines include ethylamine, propylamine, butylamine,2-ethylhexylamine, octylamine, and dodecylamine, as well as such fattyamines as n-octylamine, n-decylamine, n-dodecylamine, n-tetradecylamine,n-hexadecylamine, n-octadecylamine and oleylamine. Other useful fattyamines include commercially available fatty amines such as “Armeen®”amines (products available from Akzo Chemicals, Chicago, Ill.), such asArmeen C, Armeen O, Armeen O L, Armeen T, Armeen H T, Armeen S andArmeen S D, wherein the letter designation relates to the fatty group,such as coco, oleyl, tallow, or stearyl groups.

Examples of suitable secondary amines include dimethylamine,diethylamine, dipropylamine, dibutylamine, diamylamine, dihexylamine,diheptylamine, methylethylamine, ethylbutylamine and ethylamylamine. Thesecondary amines may be cyclic amines such as piperidine, piperazine andmorpholine.

The amine may also be a tertiary-aliphatic primary amine. The aliphaticgroup in this case may be an alkyl group containing about 2 to about 30,or about 6 to about 26, or about 8 to about 24 carbon atoms. Tertiaryalkyl amines include monoamines such as tert-butylamine,tert-hexylamine, 1-methyl-1-amino-cyclohexane, tert-octylamine,tert-decylamine, tert-dodecylamine, tert-tetradecylamine,tert-hexadecylamine, tert-octadecylamine, tert-tetracosanylamine, andtert-octacosanylamine.

Mixtures of amines may also be used in the invention. In one embodimenta useful mixture of amines is “Primene® 81R” and “Primene® JMT.”Primene® 81R and Primene® JMT (both produced and sold by Rohm & Haas)are mixtures of C11 to C14 tertiary alkyl primary amines and C18 to C22tertiary alkyl primary amines respectively.

Suitable hydrocarbyl amine salts of alkylphosphoric acid of theinvention may be represented by the following formula:

wherein R³ and R⁴ are independently hydrogen or hydrocarbyl groups suchas alkyl groups; for the phosphorus ester acid, at least one of R³ andR⁴ will be hydrocarbyl. R³ and R⁴ may contain about 4 to about 30, orabout 8 to about 25, or about 10 to about 20, or about 13 to about 19carbon atoms. R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ may be independently hydrogen or hydrocarbylgroups, such as alkyl branched or linear alkyl chains with 1 to about30, or about 4 to about 24, or about 6 to about 20, or about 10 to about16 carbon atoms. These R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ groups may be branched or lineargroups, and in certain embodiments at least one, or alternatively two ofR⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ are hydrogen. Examples of alkyl groups suitable for R⁵, R⁶and R⁷ include butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, n-hexyl,sec-hexyl, n-octyl, 2-ethylhexyl, decyl, undecyl, dodecyl, tridecyl,tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, heptadecyl, octadecyl, octadecenyl,nonodecyl, eicosyl groups and mixtures thereof.

In one embodiment the hydrocarbyl amine salt of an alkylphosphoric acidester is the reaction product of a C14 to C18 alkylated phosphoric acidwith Primene 81R™ (produced and sold by Rohm & Haas) which is a mixtureof C11 to C14 tertiary alkyl primary amines.

Similarly, hydrocarbyl amine salts of dialkyldithiophosphoric acidesters of the invention used in the rust inhibitor package may berepresented by the formula:

wherein the various R groups are as defined above, although typicallyboth R groups are hydrocarbyl or alkyl. Examples of hydrocarbyl aminesalts of dialkyldithiophosphoric acid esters include the reactionproduct(s) of hexyl, heptyl or octyl or nonyl, 4-methyl-2-pentyl or2-ethylhexyl, isopropyl dithiophosphoric acids with ethylene diamine,morpholine, or Primene 81R™, and mixtures thereof.

In one embodiment the dithiophosphoric acid may be reacted with anepoxide or a glycol. This reaction product is further reacted with aphosphorus acid, anhydride, or lower ester. The epoxide includes analiphatic epoxide or a styrene oxide. Examples of useful epoxidesinclude ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butene oxide, octene oxide,dodecene oxide, styrene oxide and the like. In one embodiment theepoxide is Propylene oxide. The glycols may be aliphatic glycols havingfrom 1 to about 12, or from about 2 to about 6, or about 2 to about 3carbon atoms. The dithiophosphoric acids, glycols, epoxides, inorganicphosphorus reagents and methods of reacting the same are described inU.S. Pat. Nos. 3,197,405 and 3,544,465. The resulting acids may then besalted with amines. An example of suitable dithiophosphoric acid isprepared by adding phosphorus pentoxide (about 64 grams) at about 58° C.over a period of about 45 minutes to about 514 grams of hydroxypropylO,O-di(4-methyl-2-pentyl)phosphorodithioate (prepared by reactingdi(4-methyl-2-pentyl)-phosphorodithioic acid with about 1.3 moles ofpropylene oxide at about 25° C.). The mixture is heated at about 75° C.for about 2.5 hours, mixed with a diatomaceous earth and filtered atabout 70° C. The filtrate contains about 11.8% by weight phosphorus,about 15.2% by weight sulfur, and an acid number of 87 (bromophenolblue).

The EP/antiwear agent can be used alone or in combination.

In one embodiment the EP/antiwear agent may be in the delivery systemfrom about 0 wt % or 0.05 wt % to about 10 wt % or about 0.1 wt % toabout 5 wt %.

The EP/antiwear agents are present in the range of about 0 wt % to about20 wt %, in one embodiment in the range from about 0.25 wt % to about 10wt % and in another embodiment in the range from about 0.5 wt % to about25 wt % total weight of the additives and/or base oil of the deliverysystem.

The antifoams include organic silicones such as poly dimethyl siloxane,poly ethyl siloxane, polydiethyl siloxane, polyacrylates andpolymethacrylates, trimethyl-triflouro-propylmethyl siloxane and thelike.

The antifoams may be used alone or in combination. The antifoams areused in the range of about 0 wt % to about 20 wt %, in one embodiment inthe range of about 0.02 wt % to about 10 wt % and in another embodimentin the range of 0.05 wt % to about 2.5 wt % total weight of theadditives and/or base oil of the delivery system.

The viscosity modifier provides both viscosity improving properties anddispersant properties. Examples of dispersant-viscosity modifiersinclude vinyl pyridine, N-vinyl pyrrolidone and N,N′-dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate are examples of nitrogen-containing monomers and the like.Polyacrylates obtained from the polymerization or copolymerization ofone or more alkyl acrylates also are useful as viscosity modifiers.

Functionalized polymers can also be used as viscosity modifiers. Amongthe common classes of such polymers are olefin copolymers and acrylateor methacrylate copolymers. Functionalized olefin copolymers can be, forinstance, interpolymers of ethylene and propylene which are grafted withan active monomer such as maleic anhydride and then derivatized with analcohol or an amine. Other such copolymers are copolymers of ethyleneand propylene which are reacted or grafted with nitrogen compounds.Derivatives of polyacrylate esters are well known as dispersantviscosity index modifiers additives. Dispersant acrylate orpolymethacrylate viscosity modifiers such as Acryloid™ 985 or Viscoplex™6-054, from RohMax, are particularly useful. Solid, oil-soluble polymerssuch as the PIB (polyisobutylene), methacrylate, polyalkystyrene,ethylene/propylene and ethylene/propylene/1,4-hexadiene polymers andmaleic anhydride-styrene interpolymer and derivatives thereof, can alsobe used as viscosity index improvers. The viscosity modifiers are knownand commercially available.

The viscosity modifiers may be used alone or in combination. Theviscosity modifiers are present in the range of about 0 wt % to 20 wt %,in one embodiment in the range from about 0.25 wt % to about 10 wt % andin another embodiment in the range from about 0.5 wt % to about 2.5 wt %total weight of the additives and/or base oil of the delivery system.

The friction modifiers include organo-molybdenum compounds, includingmolybdenum dithiocarbamates, and fatty acid based materials, includingthose based on oleic acid, including glycerol mono oleate (GMO), thosebased on stearic acid, and the like.

In one embodiment, the friction modifier is a phosphate ester or saltincluding a monohydrocarbyl, dihydrocarbyl or a trihydrocarbylphosphate, wherein each hydrocarbyl group is saturated. In severalembodiments, each hydrocarbyl group contains from about 8 to about 30,or from about 12 up to about 28, or from about 14 up to about 24, orfrom about 14 up to about 18 carbons atoms. In another embodiment, thehydrocarbyl groups are alkyl groups. Examples of hydrocarbyl groupsinclude tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, heptadecyl,octadecyl groups and mixtures thereof.

In one embodiment, the phosphate salts may be prepared by reacting anacidic phosphate ester with an amine compound or a metallic base to forman amine or a metal salt. The amines may be monoamines or polyamines.Useful amines include those amines disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,234,435at Col. 21, line 4 to Col. 27, line 50.

Useful amines include primary ether amines, such as those represented bythe formula, R″(OR′)_(x)—NH₂, wherein R′ is a divalent alkylene grouphaving about 2 to about 6 carbon atoms; x is a number from one to about150, or from about one to about five, or one; and R″ is a hydrocarbylgroup of about 5 to about 150 carbon atoms.

The phosphate salt may be derived from a polyamine. The polyaminesinclude alkoxylated diamines, fatty polyamine diamines,alkylenepolyamines, hydroxy containing polyamines, condensed polyamines,arylpolyamines, and heterocyclic polyamines.

The metal salts of the phosphorus acid esters are prepared by thereaction of a metal base with the acidic phosphorus ester. The metalbase may be any metal compound capable of forming a metal salt. Examplesof metal bases include metal oxides, hydroxides, carbonates, borates, orthe like. Suitable metals include alkali metals, alkaline earth metalsand transition metals. In one embodiment, the metal is a Group IIAmetal, such as calcium or magnesium, Group IIB metal, such as zinc, or aGroup VIIB metal, such as manganese. Examples of metal compounds whichmay be reacted with the phosphorus acid include zinc hydroxide, zincoxide, copper hydroxide or copper oxide.

In one embodiment, the friction modifier is a phosphite and may be amonohydrocarbyl, dihydrocarbyl or a trihydrocarbyl phosphite, whereineach hydrocarbyl group is saturated. In several embodiments eachhydrocarbyl group independently contains from about 8 to about 30, orfrom about 12 up to about 28, or from about 14 up to about 24, or fromabout 14 up to about 18 carbons atoms. In one embodiment, thehydrocarbyl groups are alkyl groups. Examples of hydrocarbyl groupsinclude tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, heptadecyl,octadecyl groups and mixtures thereof.

In one embodiment, the friction modifier is a fatty imidazolinecomprising fatty substituents containing from 8 to about 30, or fromabout 12 to about 24 carbon atoms. The substituent may be saturated orunsaturated, preferably saturated. In one aspect, the fatty imidazolinemay be prepared by reacting a fatty carboxylic acid with apolyalkylenepolyamine, such as those discussed above. A suitable fattyimidazoline includes those described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,482,777.

The friction modifiers can be used alone or in combination. The frictionreducing agents are present in the range of about 0 wt % to 10 wt %, orfrom about 0.25 wt % to about 10 wt %, or from about 0.5 wt % to about2.5 wt % total weight of the additives and/or base oil of the deliverysystem.

The anti-misting agents include very high (>100,000 Mn) polyolefins suchas 1.5 Mn polyisobutylene (for example the material of the trades nameVistanex®), or polymers containing 2-(N-acrylamido), 2-methyl propanesulfonic acid (also known as AMPS®), or derivatives thereof, and thelike.

The anti-misting agents can be used alone or in combination. Theanti-misting agents are present in the range of about 0 wt % to 10 wt %,or from about 0.25 wt % to about 10 wt %, or from about 0.5 wt % toabout 2.5 wt % total weight of the additives and/or base oil of thedelivery system.

The corrosion inhibitors include alkylated succinic acids and anhydridesderivatives thereof, organo phosphonates and the like. The rustinhibitors may be used alone or in combination. The rust inhibitors arepresent in the range of about 0 wt % to about 90 wt %, and in oneembodiment in the range from about 0.0005 wt % to about 50 wt % and inanother embodiment in the range from about 0.0025 wt % to about 30 wt %total weight of the additives and/or base oil of the delivery system.

The metal deactivators include derivatives of benzotriazoles such astolyltriazole, N,N-bis(heptyl)-ar-methyl-1H-benzotriazole-1-methanamine,N,N-bis(nonyl)-ar-methyl-1H-Benzotriazole-1-methanamine,N,N-bis(decyl)ar-methyl-1H-Benzotriazole-1-methanamine,N,N-(undecyl)ar-methyl-1H-benzotriazole-1-methanamine,N,N-bis(dodecyl)ar-methyl-1H-Benzotriazole-1-methanamineN,N-bis(2-ethylhexyl)-ar-methyl-1H-Benzotriazole-1-methanamine andmixtures thereof. In one embodiment the metal deactivator isN,N-bis(1-ethylhexyl)ar-methyl-1H-benzotriazole-1-methanamine;1,2,4-triazoles, benzimidazoles, 2-alkyldithiobenzimidazoles;2-alkyldithiobenzothiazoles;2-N,N-dialkyldithio-carbamoyl)benzothiazoles;2,5-bis(alkyl-dithio)-1,3,4-thiadiazoles such as2,5-bis(tert-octyldithio)-1,3,4-thiadiazole2,5-bis(tert-nonyldithio)-1,3,4-thiadiazole,2,5-bis(tert-decyldithio)-1,3,4-thiadiazole,2,5-bis(tert-undecyldithio)-1,3,4-thiadiazole,2,5-bis(tert-dodecyldithio)-1,3,4-thiadiazole,2,5-bis(tert-tridecyldithio)-1,3,4-thiadiazole,2,5-bis(tert-tetradecyldithio)-1,3,4-thiadiazole,2,5-bis(tert-octadecyldithio)-1,3,4-thiadiazole,2,5-bis(tert-nonadecyldithio)-1,3,4-thiadiazole,2,5-bis(tert-eicosyldithio)-1,3,4-thiadiazole and mixtures thereof;2,5-bis(N,N-dialkyldithiocarbamoyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazoles;2-alkydithio-5-mercapto thiadiazoles; and the like.

The metal deactivators may be used alone or in combination. The metaldeactivators are present in the range of about 0 wt % to about 90 wt %,or from about 0.0005 wt % to about 50 wt %, or from about 0.0025 wt % toabout 30 wt % total weight of the additives and/or base oil of thedelivery system.

The demulsifiers include polyethylene and polypropylene oxide copolymersand the like. The demulsifiers may be used alone or in combination. Thedemulsifiers are present in the range of about 0 wt % to about 90 wt %,or from about 0.0005 wt % to about 50 wt %, or from about 0.0025 wt % toabout 30 wt % total weight of the additives and/or base oil of thedelivery system.

The lubricity aids include glycerol mono oleate, sorbitan mono oleateand the like. The lubricity additives may be used alone or incombination. The lubricity additives are present in the range of about 0wt % to about 90 wt %, or from about 0.0005 wt % to about 50 wt %, orfrom about 0.0025 wt % to about 30 wt % total eight of the additivesand/or base oil of the delivery system.

The flow improvers include ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers and thelike. The flow improvers may be used alone or in combination. The flowimprovers are present in the range of about 0 wt % to about 90 wt %, orfrom about 0.0005 wt % to about 50 wt %, or from about 0.0025 wt % toabout 30 wt % total weight of the additives and/or base oil of thedelivery system.

The cloud point depressants include alkylphenols and derivativesthereof, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers and the like. The cloud pointdepressants may be used alone or in combination. The cloud pointdepressants are present in the range of about 0 wt % to about 90 wt %,or from about 0.0005 wt % to about 50 wt %, or from about 0.0025% toabout 30 wt % total weight of the additives and/or base oil of thedelivery system.

The pour point depressants include alkylphenols and derivatives thereof,ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers and the like. The pour pointdepressant may be used alone or in combination. The pour pointdepressant are present in the range of about 0 wt % to about 90 wt %, orfrom about 0.0005 wt % to about 50 wt %, or from about 0.0025 wt % toabout 30 wt % total weight of the additives and/or base oil of thedelivery system.

The seal swell agents include organo sulfur compounds such as thiophene,3-(decyloxy)tetrahydro-1,1-dioxide, phthalates and the like. The sealswell agents may be used alone or in combination. The seal swell agentsare present in the range of about 0 wt % to about 90 wt %, or from about0.0005 wt % to about 50 wt %, or from about 0.0025 wt % to about 30 wt %total weight of the additives and/or base oil of the delivery system.

Optionally, other components can be added to the delivery systemincludes base stock oils, inert carriers, dyes, bacteriostatic agents,solid particulate additives, and the like so long as these components donot have a detrimental effect on the delivery system.

When the delivery system is a gel, typically the gel contains smallamounts (about 5-40 wt %) of base stock oils, which include but are notlimited to mineral-based, synthetic (including Fischer-Tropschgas-to-liquid synthetic procedure as well as other gas-to-liquid oils)or mixtures thereof.

Optionally, an inert carrier can be used if desired. Furthermore, otheractive ingredients, which provide a beneficial and desired function canalso be included in the gel. In addition, solid, particulate additivessuch as the PTFE, MoS₂ and graphite can also be included.

Optionally, dyes can be used and include halo-alkanes and the like. Thedyes may be used alone or in combination. The dyes are present in therange of about 0 wt % to about 90 wt %, or from about 0.0005 wt % toabout 50 wt %, or from about 0.0025 wt % to about 30 wt % total weightof the additives and/or base oil of the delivery system.

Optionally, bacteriostatic agents can be used and include formaldehyde,gluteraldehyde and derivatives, kathan and the like. The bacteriostaticagents may be used alone or in combination. The bacteriostatic agentsare present in the range of about 0 wt % to about 90 wt %, or from about0.0005% to about 50 wt %, or from about 0.0025% to about 30 wt % totalweight of the additives and/or base oil of the delivery system.

The components are mixed together sequentially or all together to form amixture. After mixing of the components of the gel, a cure may berequired in order for gelation to occur. If a cure is required, it istypically done in the range of about 20° C. to about 165° C. for about 1min to about 60 days, or about 50° C. to about 120° C. for about 1 toabout 24 hours, or about 85° C. to about 115° C. for about 4 to about 12hours.

SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT

For all the examples the components listed in each example in thespecification were mixed together to form the gel. The gels were curedat about 100° C. for about 8 hours.

Example 1 Controlled Release of Antiwear Agent in Manual TransmissionFluid

Antiwear agents such as amine salts of a phosphorus acid esters are wellknown as being suitable for a gear oil, transmission fluid or axlefluid.

Controlled release of an antiwear agent can be accomplished using a gelcomposed of:

-   -   a. about 45 wt % of an overbased detergent,    -   b. about 10 wt % of a 2000 MW polyisobutenyl succan;    -   c. about 15 wt % of a succinimide dispersant, and    -   d. about 30 wt % of an amine salt of a phosphorus ester acid.

A manual transmission fluid is passed over the controlled release gelcontaining the antiwear agent. The resulting composition contains anacceptable amount of antiwear agent to allow the fluid to be used as anaxle fluid.

A FZG scuffing test is carried out on the manual transmission fluid(MTF) and the manual transmission fluid containing antiwear agent fromthe controlled release gel (MTFGAW). The FZG scuffing test is carriedout using “A10” type gears of about 10 mm face width, at a pitchlinevelocity of about 16.6 m/s in reverse direction and at about 120° C.(test also referred to as A10/16.6R/120 test). The results obtained areshown in Table 1. TABLE 1 Sample Load Stage Fail MTF 5 MTFGAW 7

The results indicate that the controlled release gel is capable ofmodifying a lubricant designed for one mechanical device and providingdesired additional additives to provide a lubricant with a differentcomposition with acceptable properties in another mechanical devicerequiring a different lubricant additive composition.

1. A method of lubricating comprising: (a) employing a first functionalfluid, wherein the first functional fluid is selected from the groupconsisting of an oil of lubricating viscosity, a gear oil includingautomotive and/or industrial, a manual transmission oil, an automatictransmission oil, a hydraulic fluid, an engine oil, a two cycle oil, ametalworking fluid and an axle fluid; (b) contacting the firstfunctional fluid with a delivery system wherein the delivery system hasthe desired additives to be released imparting the desired propertiesinto the first functional fluid which is for lubricating a mechanicaldevice; (c) releasing the desired additives from the delivery systeminto the first functional fluid resulting in the first functional fluidchanging into a second functional fluid selected from the groupconsisting of a gear oil, a manual transmission oil, an automatictransmission oil, a hydraulic fluid, an engine oil, a two cycle oil, ametalworking fluid and an axle fluid, with the proviso that the secondfunctional fluid is different from the first functional fluid.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the delivery system comprises at least one ofa liquids, solids, controlled release additive gel, capsules (forexample melamine or urea formaldehyde microencapsulation polymers),linear low density polyolefin bags, perforated sheets, baffles,injectors, polymers which are oil-permeable at elevated temperatures,particles which are oil-insoluble but oil wettable, oil-soluble solidpolymers capable of functioning as viscosity improvers, or mixturesthereof.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the delivery system comprisesa controlled release additive gel.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein thefirst and/or second functional fluid comprises an antiwear/EP agentpresent from about 0.1 wt % to about 5 wt %.
 5. The method of claim 3,wherein the controlled release gel composition comprises i.) at leasttwo additives selected from the group comprising detergents,dispersants, acids, bases, over based detergent, succinated polyolefinsor mixtures thereof wherein the selected additives when combined form agel; ii.) optionally at least one additive comprising viscositymodifier(s), friction modifier(s), detergent(s), cloud pointdepressant(s), pour point depressant(s), demulsifier(s), flowimprover(s), anti static agent(s), dispersant(s), antioxidant(s),antifoam(s), corrosion/rust inhibitor(s), extreme pressure/antiwearagent(s), seal swell agent(s), lubricity aid(s), antimisting agent(s),or mixtures thereof; resulting in a controlled release gel that overtime releases at least one desired additive into a functional fluid whenthe gel is contacted with the functional fluid.
 6. The method of claim3, wherein the controlled release gel composition has a ratio ofdetergent to dispersant is from about 10:1 to about 1:10 and thedetergent is an over based detergent having a TBN of at least
 200. 7.The method of claim 6, wherein the dispersant is selected from the groupconsisting of ashless type dispersants, polymeric dispersants, Mannichdispersants, carboxylic dispersants, amine dispersants, high molecularweight esters, esterified maleic anhydride styrene copolymers, maleatedethylene diene monomer copolymers, surfactants, functionalizedderivatives, and combinations thereof and where the dispersant ispresent in a range of about 0.01 wt. % to about 95% of the additive gel,and wherein the detergent is selected from the group consisting of overbased sulfonates, phenates, salicylates, carboxylates, over basedcalcium sulfonate detergents, overbased detergents containing metalssuch as Mg, Ba, Sr, Na, C and K and mixtures thereof and wherein thedetergents are in the range from about 0.01 wt. % to about 99% by wt. ofthe additive gel.
 8. The method of claim 5, wherein component i) ispresent in the range from about 0.01 wt. % to about 95 wt. % of theadditive gel and wherein component ii) is present in the range of about0% to about 95% by wt. of the additive gel.
 9. The method of claim 6,wherein optionally at least one other component can be added to theadditive gel composition which is selected from the group consisting ofbase stock oils, inert carriers, dyes, bacteriostatic agents, solidparticulate additives and mixtures thereof.
 10. The method of claim 3,wherein the gel comprises an over based detergent, a succinimidedispersant and an anti-foam agent resulting in a controlled release gelthat over time releases an antifoam additive into the functional fluidso as to reduce the foaming tendency and to improve stability of thefluid.
 11. The method of claim 3, wherein the gel comprises an overbased detergent, a succinimide dispersant, an ashless anti-oxidant and apolysuccinated polyolefin resulting in a controlled release gel thatover time releases an antioxidant additive into the functional fluid ofan engine.
 12. The method of claim 3 comprising an over based detergent,a succinimide dispersant, a friction modifier and a polysuccinatedpolyolefin resulting in a controlled release gel that over time releasesthe friction modifier into the functional fluid so as to reduce thecoefficient friction between metal parts.
 13. The method of claim 12further comprising an antiwear agent/extreme pressure agent.
 14. Themethod of claim 13, wherein the antiwear agent/extreme pressure agentcomprises an amine salt of a phosphorus ester acid.
 15. The method ofclaim 14, wherein the phosphorus ester acid is selected from the groupconsisting of phosphoric acid esters and salts thereof;dialkyldithiophosphoric acid esters and salts thereof; phosphites; andphosphorus-containing carboxylic esters, ethers, and amides; andmixtures thereof.
 16. The method of claim 1, wherein the firstfunctional fluid is a manual transmission fluid; and wherein the secondfunctional fluid is an axle fluid.
 17. A method for lubricating amechanical device comprising: (a) employing one or more deliverysystems, wherein the delivery systems may be the same, similar,different or combinations thereof and wherein the composition of thedelivery systems depends on the desired additives to be added into afirst functional fluid or to change the first functional fluid into asecond functional fluid; (b) contacting the first functional fluid withone or more delivery systems wherein the functional fluid may be of morethan one type, and wherein the delivery systems comprises at least oneadditive comprising detergents, dispersants, acids, bases, over baseddetergent, succinated polyolefins, viscosity modifier(s), frictionmodifier(s), detergent(s), cloud point depressant(s), pour pointdepressant(s), demulsifier(s), flow improver(s), anti static agent(s),dispersant(s), antioxidant(s), antifoam(s), corrosion/rust inhibitor(s),extreme pressure/antiwear agent(s), seal swell agent(s), lubricityaid(s), antimisting agent(s), or mixtures thereof; resulting in changingthe first functional fluid into the second functional fluid when thedelivery systems are contacted with the first functional fluid.
 18. Themethod of claim 17, wherein the delivery systems comprise a controlledrelease additive gel.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the controlledrelease gel composition comprises i.) at least two additives selectedfrom the group comprising detergents, dispersants, acids, bases, overbased detergent, succinated polyolefins or mixtures thereof wherein theselected additives when combined form a gel; ii.) optionally at leastone additive comprising viscosity modifier(s), friction modifier(s),detergent(s), cloud point depressant(s), pour point depressant(s),demulsifier(s), flow improver(s), anti static agent(s), dispersant(s),antioxidant(s), antifoam(s), corrosion/rust inhibitor(s), extremepressure/antiwear agent(s), seal swell agent(s), lubricity aid(s),antimisting agent(s), or mixtures thereof; resulting in a controlledrelease gel that over time releases at least one desired additive into afunctional fluid when the gel is contacted with the functional fluid.20. The method of claim 17, wherein the mechanical device comprises onefirst functional fluid contacting multiple delivery systems resulting inchanging the first functional fluid into multiple second functionalfluids.